Mailing-machine.



Patented Aug. 14,1900.

T. 0. ka H. DEXTER.

MAILING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 2, 1899.)

I3 Sheets-Sheet (No Model.)

fiN N RS:

ATTORNEY WITNESSES: 341B.

ca. Pnmaluma, wasumm'un. 0 c4 No. 655,963. Patented Aug I4, I900. T. c. a l. H. DEXTER.

MAILING MAC l'l lNE.- (Application filed Aug. 2, 1899.)

I3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

. INVENTORS: f Mm fifiTRfi E WITNESSES No. 655,963. Patented Aug. l4, I900.

T. c. & H. DEXTER.

MAILING MACHINE.

(Application filed. Aug. 2, 1899.)

(No Model.) '3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

WITNESSES: u I yE TQ 8w 2 j @I'TCBRNEY m: NORRIS PETERS 00., monmu'ruu, WASHINGTON, n c,

No. 655,963. Patented Aug. I4, I900.

T. C. & l. H. DEXTER.

MAILING MACHINE.

(N Md) (Appl c fi1dAg21899) .q o e.

l3 Sheets-Sheet 4.

WITNESSES: 16/5.

No. 655,963. Patented Aug. 14,1900.

T. c. & H. DEXTER.

MAILING MACHINE.

I (Application filed Aug. 2, 1899.) v (No Model.) I I3 Shoals-Sheet 5,

7' WW WITNESSES: 1 a U INVENTORS. u o Xi 5 g 3% R R R fizATTORNEY No. 655,963. Patented Aug. I4, I900.

' T. C. & I. H. DEXTER.

MAILING MACHINE.

' (Application filed Aug. 2, 1899.) (N0 Modal.) l3 Sheets-Sheet 6.

. 1 E. TO WITNBSiES. v NV N R iZ i;

TTORNEY No. 655,963. Patented Aug; I4, I900.v

T. c. &- I..H. DEXTER. MAILING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 2, 1899.) (No Model.) l3 Sheets$heet 7.

WITNESSES:

Patented Aug. l4, I900. T. C. &. l. H. DEXTER.

MAILING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 2, 1899.)

I3 Sheets-Sheet 8.

(No Model.)

INVENTORS f. 3rd

zm/ma 7Z1; ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

m: NORRIS PETERS c0. Pnoroumo"busflmoromp. c,

No. 655,963. Patented Aug. [4, 1900. T. C. &. I. H. DEXTER.

MAILING MACHINE.

(Application filed. Aug. 2, 1&99.

(No Model.)

INVENTORS; W4. M222 A TTrzgl Y zTsRs 00.. Pnom-umo WASHINGTON u c Patented Aug. [4, I900.

T. C. &. l. H. DEXTER.

I3 Sheets-Sheet N].

(No Model.)

INVENTORS: MC Alwm aim #Aflwfi i /M45 fiFxTTommEv v. w N S w b M WITNESSES:

Patented Aug. [4, I900. T. 8. &. I. H. DEXTER.

MAILING MACHINE.

(Appl 11 fil dA g 2 1899) I3 Sheets-Sheet II.

INKZENTORS; flew/(em;

A; 210%,; 1d; ATTO NEY (No Model.)

WITNESSES:

g. g. a

No. 655,963. Patented Aug. I4, I900.

T. C. &. I. H. DEXTER.

MAILING MACHINE.

(Applicai zion filed Aug. 2; 1899.)

(No Model.) I I3 Sheeis-Sheet [2.

Q N 1; w k a R IIII II l'l I I [Q I O M I TX g r" I I I I L .III" I Q j E mr' l -Q l I x W u III 0) a ti Q I I I I I I I Q I 4 I m I R I A I n I I k I w I I I-" I g 1 III I I ll. I -'E \k I E III 'k I w WITNESSES: INVENTORS:

E 8 it 4 yjmwwy/z, fiATToRnEY Patented Aug. [4, I900. T. c. & I: H. DEXTER. MAILING MAGHINEF (Application filed Aug. 2, 1899.)

I3 Shoals-Sheet l3.

'(No Model.)

s E S 5 E N H W M@ Qd "D H 0 A TORNEY z Norms PETER: co. wow u o IUN'ITED S ATES PATENT optics.-

TALBOT o. DEXTER AND IRVEN 1-1. DEXTER, or PEARL RIVER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS or TH EE-EoURTHsTo SAID TALBOT c. DEXTER AND ONE- FOURTH TosAID-IRVEN H. DEXTER.

MAILING-MACHINE.

SPEGiFIQATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 655,963, dated August 14, 1900. Application filed August 2, 1899; Serial No. 725,835. on model.)

To all whom it may concern: I 1 Fig. 18 is a side view of a modification of the Be it known that we, TALBOT O.-DEXTER means for obtaining a positive hold upon the and IRVEN H. DEXTER, citizens of the United folded sheets for shifting the same to the suc- States, and residents of Pearl River, in the cessive folding devices, and Fig. 19 is a per- 55 county of Rockland, in the State of New spective view of one of the sets of paper- York, have invented new and useful Improvefolding-forks with the paper and wrapper inments in Mailing-Machines, of which the folsertedinto the forks. lowing, taken in connection with the aecom- Similar letters and numerals of reference inpanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact dicate corresponding parts. 60 IO description. I i, A is a horizontally-prolonged stout frame The purpose of this invention is to expediof suitable shape to support the various tiously and reliably fold newspapers, periodmechanisms of the machine. In the central icals, and analogous papers and envelop the portion of the length of said machine are same in wrappers securely pasted and in cated the devices for folding the paper with 65 r 5 proper condition for mailing the articles; its wrapper. The most serious difficulties are and to that end the invention consists in the encounteredin the operation of the means emnovel organization of the mailing=machine ployed for successively folding the paper in hereinafter described, and set forth in the a neat and compact form with the wrapper claims. properly secured thereto, which difficulties 7o The invention is fullyillustrated in the an-' are due to the usual bulky condition imnexed drawings, in whichparted to the sheets by the successive folding Figures 1 and 2 are diagrammatic longitudiof the same. Our invention effectually overnal sectional views of the machine, showing comes this difficulty, first, by folding the pain different'operative positions the various per upona straight or horizontal bed while 75 devices which are arranged in the path of the retaining the unfolded portion stationary paper and wrapper for conveying and operupon said bed,- and thus folding the paper in ating upon the same. Fig. 3 'isan enlarged the manner practiced when foldingit by hand, side elevation of the portion of the machine and, secondly, by providing means for sliding marked Sec. 1 in Fig. 1. Fig. at is a plan the paper along on the bed from fork to fork 8o view of said section. Fig. 5 is an'enlarged and at the same time continuously pinching side elevation of the portion marked Sec. 2.-- and compressing the entire width of the folded Fig. 6 is a plan view of said section. Fig. 7 portion, as hereinafter more fully described. is an enlarged side elevation of the section Referring to the drawings, a or represent marked Sec. 3. Fig. 8isaplan View of Fig.7. the paper-folding folks, which are preferably 5 Fig. 9 is a further-enlarged side view of the arranged parallel in pairs or sets, and a plusheet-divergin'g' switch and its controlling rality of such sets are arranged in a straight mechanism. Figs. 10 and 11 are enlarged diarow extending lengthwise over a stationary grammatic views of the pasting instrument horizontal bed -Z, composed of longitudinal shown in different operative positions. Figs. slats, which serve to support and guide the o 12 and 13 are enlarged longitudinal sectional sheets in transit to the successive forks. views of the devices for folding the paper Each pair or set of said forks is fastened to a with its wrapper and showing the same in yoke consisting of parallel arms-b b, united at different operative positions. Fig. 14' is an one end by a transverse bar I), to which the enlarged vertical transverse section on line forks Ct at are attached, so as to project at right 5 5 X X in Fig.5 of they drawings. Fig. 15 is angles therefrom and lie parallel between the an enlarged side view of one of the devices arms b b. Each of these yokes is provided for shifting the sheets into the successive on the free ends of its arms I) b with trunnions folding-forks. Fig. 16 isatransverse section c, by which the yoke is pivoted to suitable on lineY Y in Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a fragmensupports mounted upon the frame A at points 7 5o .tary sectionaland front view of the means contiguous to the plane of the paper-supfor carrying the said sheet-shifting devices. porting bed Z. To the trunnions at corresponding ends of the yokes are fastened pinions (1, which mesh with longitudinal racks e, riding upon the tops of said pinions and fastened to a longitudinal bar f, which receives an intermittingly-reciprocating motion from a lever g, pivoted intermediate its ends to the frame A and connected at one end to the barf by a rod h and connected at its opposite end to a rod 1', which receives properly-timed reciprocating motion from a cam j, fastened to a transverse rotary shaft as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The reciprocating motion of the rack-carrying bar f imparts oscillatory motion to the forkcarrying yokes and causes the forks to present their free ends alternately toward the front and rear of the machine and at the same time he in planes parallel and contiguous to the paper-supporting bed Z.

The yokes are placed proper distances apart to permit the aforesaid oscillatory motion and the shifting of the folded sheets into the successive sets of forks, as hereinafter described.

For shifting the folded sheets into the successive sets of forks as aforesaid we prefer to employ suitable arms supported movable longitudinally over the row of forks and oscillatory to and from the same and suitable means attached to the free ends of said arms for pushing the folded sheets out of one set of forks and into the succeeding set of forks. We do not limit ourselves to any specific construction of said sheet shifting devices, as it is susceptible of many modifications. The essential features of said shifting devices are their travel lengthwise over the horizontal bed Z, and in said travel sliding the paper along on said bed from fork to fork and at the same time continuously pressing upon the folded portion of the paper across the entire width thereof. We deem, however, the following construction as very simple and efiicient, it consisting of a carriage O, mounted on rollers D D, which are pivoted to standards E, erected on the frame A, which rollers allow said carriage to travel longitudinally over the row of the before-described yokes or sets of paper-folding forks, said carriage receiving an intermittingly-reciprocating motion by means of a lever F, oscillated by a rotary cam G and connected to the carriage by a pitman H. To said carriage are secured journal-boxes m, preferably of tubular shape and inserted in longitudinal slots 71 in the carriage, which slots allow the journal-boxes to be adjusted longitudinally on the carriage. Each of said journal-boxes is provided on one end with an abutting collar 00 and is screw-threaded externally on its opposite end and provided thereat with a nut 0. By tightening this nut the journal-box is clamped in its required position on the carriage. In the journal-boxes m m on the two sides of the carriage are mounted the ends of transverse shafts p, which are permitted to rock and are prevented from moving endwise, preferably, by means of nuts (1*, connected to the protruding screw-threadedends of the shafts, as shown in Fig. 17 of the drawings. The rocking motion isimparted to said shafts by means of arms 1", fastened thereto and having pivoted to their free ends rollers s, which ride on a longitudinal bar I, supported on rollers a, which are pivoted to suitable supports u, secured to the frame A. This bar If is provided on its under side with inclined downward projections v and is connected by a rod 12 to the upper end of a lever w, which is pivoted intermediate its ends to the frame A and has its lower end bearing on a rotary cam I,which imparts an oscillatory motion to said lever and a corresponding in-' termittingly-reciprocating motion to the bar 25. In this movement of said bar the downward projections 11' 1: thereof are carried onto and from the tops of the supporting-rollers u u, and consequently the arms r 1'' receive a rocking motion which is transmitted to the shafts p p. To each of these shafts is fas= tened a pair of the sheet-shifting arms L, preferably by means of brackets J, each of which is formed with two eyes 1 2, disposed at right angles to each other and split from said eyes outward and formed with perforated ears 3 3 for the reception of bolts by which to clamp the eyes 1 and 2' on the shaft 19 and arm L, passing, respectively, through said eyes, as more clearly shown in Figs. 15 and 17 of the drawings. Said construction of the bracket J allows the arm L to be shifted both later ally and longitudinally, as may be required, to place said arm in its proper position to shift the folded sheets into the successive sets of paper-folding forks.

To allow the arms L L to obtain the req uisite hold upon the folded sheets to push them out of one set of forks and into the succeeding set, we attach to the free end of each of said arms a plate 4, formed on a sleeve 5,

through which passesthe free end of the arm L, as clearly shown in Figs. 15, 16, and 18 of the drawings. Said sleeve is adapted to be shifted lengthwise on the said arm and is thus adjustable in said direction. A setscrew 6, passing through the sleeve and engaging the arm, serves to retain the plate 4 in its adjusted position.

Under the free end of the arm L is a finger 7, which projects from the plate 4: and is preferably connected thereto by the rear end of the finger passing through a vertical slot 8 in the plate and screw-threaded and fastened by a nut Qapplied thereto. The vertical slot 8 allows the finger 7 to be set a greater or less distance from the bottom of the plate 4 to allow said finger to press upon the top of the folded sheets while the plate engages the rear edge of said sheets. To insure said pressure of the finger 7, We employ a suitable spring S, which may be coiled around the shaft 19 and secured at one end either to the carriage G or to the journal-box m and made to bear with its opposite end upon the top of the arm L. Said pressure of the finger upon the sheets We deem essential, owing to the fact that the folded sheets are liable to be bulky and on that account difficult to be moved by the plate 4, engaging the rear edge of the folded sheets.

To further reinforce the hold upon the sheets,

In the operation of the described paper-' folding forks and sheet-shifting arms L L L the yokes which carry said forks are rocked on their pivots and caused to swing back and forth in semicircles, and thus present the free ends of the forks alternately toward opposite ends of the machine. Said yokes operate synchronously, and their movements are so timed as to leave them at rest in their horizontal positions a sufficient period to allow the paper, with its Wrapper, to be inserted into the forks a 0t while said forks are presented toward the rear end of the machine, and subsequently allow the said paper and wrapper to be pushed out of said forks while presented toward the forward end of the machine. In the turning of the yokes to carry the forks fromthe first to the second mentioned positions the portions of the sheets carried in said forks, as represented in Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings, are folded over onto the top of the portions of the sheets lying upon the guides l 1. Said folding being effected at each yoke or set of yokes causes the paper to be completely enveloped in the wrapper. As soon as the folded sheets have been pushed out of the forks the yokes turn on their pivots and reverse the position of the forks in time to receive another set of sheets.

The actuating mechanisms of the sheetshifting arms L L L are timed to lift said arms while the aforesaid yokes turn on their pivots, and as soon as the forks a a present their free ends forward said arms are caused to descend and carry the plates 4 down immediately back of the folded sheets and press with the fingers 7 firmly upon the tops of said sheets, and then the carriage O advances and causes the engaged free ends of the arms L L L to push the folded sheets out of the forks. The instant this is effected the yokes again turn on their pivots to reverse the position of the forks in time to permit the ad vancing-arms L L L to push the folded sheets into the forks in front of the sheets. The paper, with its wrapper, is introduced into the first set of forks a a by means of a propelling-roller 12 and drop-roller 13 over said propelling-roller. The paper delivered at said rollers has the rear margin of the wrapper protruding sufficiently to form'a flap for receiving paste by which to secure the wrapper'around the folded paper. To apply said paste automatically, we employ a suitable pasting instrument N, preferably immediately back of the propelling-roller 12. The aforesaid flap orprotruding margin of the delivered wrapper is supported by a plate 14, extending across the machine and secured to suitable stationary supports on the frame A.

14 denotes guide-fingers extending from the plate 14 and placed flush with the top thereof.

The pasting instrument proper consists of a paste-blade 15, carried on the lower ends of rods 16, which are fastened to a shaft 17, mounted in eyes on the free ends of rockarms 18, projecting from a rock-shaft 19.

2O denotes the paste-roller, which is preferably hexagonal or other suitable polygonal shape in cross-section, journaled at its ends in bearings on the top of the paste-trough 21, which is provided with a suitable scraper 22 for removing surplus paste from the face of the roller.

To carry the paste-blade 15 to and from the paste-roller and wrapper-supporting plate 14, a rod 23 is fastened to the end of the shaft 17 'and extends therefrom in opposite direction from the rods 16 and passes with its free end through an eye in the hub 25, pivoted to a post 24, erected on the frame A.

In the operation of the rock-arms 18 they carry the shaft 17 up and down in an arc of ninety degrees, and during said movement the rod 23 slides longitudinally in the hub 25 and turns the same on its pivot. This causes the rod 23 to turn correspondingly on said pivot, and by the rigid attachment of said rod to the shaft 17 said shaft is caused to turn and swing the supporting-rods 16 ofthe pasteblade 15 in an arc of ninety degrees. The upward movement of the rock-arms l8 lifts the paste-blade 15 from the wrapper-supporting plate 14 by means of the rpds 16, and at the same time the rod 23, sliding in the pivoted hub 25, turnsthe shaft 17 and causes the rods 16 to be carried from a vertical to a horizontal position and toward the pasteroller sufficiently to bring the paste-blade 15 in contact with the paste-roller 20, and thus applies the paste to the blade. In the downward movement of the rock-arms 18 the aforesaid action is reversed and the paste-blade carried down to apply the paste to the protruding rear margin of the Wrapper resting upon the plate 14. To one end of the pasteroller 20 is fastened a ratchet-wheel 26, and to the axis of said roller is pivoted an arm 27, to which is pivoted a pawl 28. The free end of the arm 27 is connected by a rod 29 to the free end of an arm '30, fastened to the pivoted hub 25, so thatthe turning of said hub produced by oscillation of the rock-arms 18 causes the arm to impart a rockingmotion to the arm 27, which partially turns the paste-roller 20 by the engagement of the pawl 28 with the ratchet-wheel 26 during the movement of the arm 27 in one direction. By these means the paste-roller 20 is caused to IIO present a different face thereof toward each approach of the paste-blade. The rock-arms 18 are actuated by means of an arm 31, attached to the shaft 19 and connected at its free end by a rod 32 to one end of a lever 33, which is pivoted intermediate its ends to the frame A, as shown at 33, and has on its long arm a pivoted roller 34, by which itbears on a rotary cam .35. To the end of the short arm of the lever 33 is connected a rod 36, which passes through an ear 37, attached to the frame A. Between said ear and the attached end of the rod 36 is a collar 38, adjustably secured to said rod, and between this collar and the ear 37 is a spiral spring 39, surrounding the rod and exerting expansive force on the collar, and thereby forces the lever in opposition to the cam 35. Said cam and spring are arranged in such relative positions as to cause the cam to lift the pasting instrument from the wrapper to the pasteroller and the spring to carry said instrument back and down to the wrapper resting on its supporting-plate 14. This spring action of the lever 33 is specially desired for the operation of a guard for preventing the paste-blade 15 from coming in contact with the supporting-plate 14 in case the wrapper accidentally fails to be delivered under the pasting instrument. This guard constitutes one of the salient features of our invention. The essential features of said guard are its being movably supported and normally in position to arrest the action of the pasting instrument and thrown from said position by the sheets or wrapper delivered under saidinstrument. Our preferred construction of said guard is as follows, to wit: At a suitable distance be' neath the wrapper-supporting plate 14 is a transverse shaft 40, pivoted to the frame A. To this shaft, at or near the een ter of its length, is rigidly attached the guard finger 41, the upper end of which plays through a transverse slot in the plate 14 and normally projects slightly above said plate. To the end of the shaft 40 is fastened an arm 42, which extends downward therefrom and is nearly or quite in a perpendicular-position when the guard-finger 41 is in its normal position, in which position it is sustained, preferably, by means of an arm 43, fastened to either the shaft 40 or arm 42 and adj ustably weighted to hold the arm 42 in contact with a stop 44, attached to the frame A. Under the arm 42 is a detent 45, consisting, preferably, of a vertically-movable bar sustained nearly or quite vertical and sliding in guides secured to the frame A. Said detent is connected to the long arm of the lever 33, preferably by means of a strap or link 46, which causes the detent to be moved up and down by said lever.

The operation of the described guard is as follows: In case the wrapper fails to be delivered upon its supporting-plate 14 the guardfinger 41 is allowed to project at the top of said plate, and thus the guard-finger remains undisturbed in its normal position, and when in this position the arm 42 is sustained with its lower end directly over the upper end of the detent 45, which is thereby caused to collide with the arm 42 during the upward move ment of the long arm of the lever 33 and arrests said movement in time to prevent the pasting-blade 15 being brought in contact with the supporting-plate 14, and thus said plate is kept clean and in proper condition to receive over it the next delivered wrapper without danger of smearing the under side 0 said wrapper.

The aforesaid automatic stop of the pasting instrument is permitted by the employment of the spring 39 for actuating the lever 38 to carry the pasting instrument to the wrappersupporting plate 14, said spring permitting its expansion to be checked without danger of being broken or unduly straining the lever and its connections.

\Vhen the wrapper is properly delivered upon its supporting-plate 14, the front edge of the wrapper in passing to said position encounters the projecting free end of the guardfinger 41 and pushes the same forward and out of the way, and thereby turns the shaft 40 sufficiently to carry the arm 42 out of the path of the detent 45, which thus permits free movement of the lever 33 to carry the pasting instrument to the wrapper delivered upon the supporting-plate 14.

45 re resents a a in -screw which is ad- 0 D justably connected to an car on a suitable stationary support and disposed over an arm 46, projecting from the heel on one of the arms 18. Said gaging-screw is adjusted to regulate the degree of contact of the pastingblade with the wrapper.

The pasting of the wrapper is effected after the paper, with its wrapper, has been introduced into the first set of folding-forks a by the roller 12 with the drop-rollers l3, and said drop-rollers are timed in their action to rise from the underlying sheets during the pasting operation and during the subsequent draft of the sheets across the roller 12 by the shifting of said sheets from the first set to the second set of folding-forks a a. Said lifting of the drop-rollers prevents their coming in contact with the paste on the flap of the wrapper.

In the subsequent repeated folding of the paper with its pasted wrapper by the successive sets of foldingforks a C6 the pasted margin or flap of the wrapper becomes finally fastened to the adjacent portion of the wrapper, and in order to insure the adhering of the flap we place beyond the last set of folding-forks a set of compression-rollers 47 and 48, between which the wrapped paper passes and is thereby compressed, and the pasted flap is pressed more effectually onto the wrapper. Beyond and in proximity to these compressing-rollers are tape-rollers 49 and 50, placed one over the other, and from each of these tape-rollers extends a set of tapes 51 52,

IIO

which are prolonged a sufficient distance to allow the paste of the wrapper to become dry before the wrapped paper is delivered from between said sets of tapes. The two sets of tapes pass around rollers 53 and 54, which carry the upper set contiguous to the lower set of tapes, so as to insure their moving the wrapped paper carried between them. Each of said sets of tapes passes across idlers 55 and across intermediate tightening-rollers 56.

ers 47 and 50.

P represents an ordinary paper-folding machine, in which 58 and 59 designate the usual folding-rollers, and 60 the blade which tucks the paper into the bite of said rollers.

By means of tapes 61 the paper is carried from said folding-rollers part way to the hereinbefore-described sets of paper-folding forks a a. Beneath the tapes 61 and leading to the delivery ends thereof is a set of tapes 62, to

which the wrappers may be fed either by hand or by automatically-operating mechanism.

When the wrapper is fed into the machine by hand, the usual gage 94 is to be employed. Said gage is fastened to a transverse shaft, to the end of which is attached an arm, which is depressed bya horn 95 on one of the descending rock-arms 96, which carry the roller-shaft, as represented in Fig. 3 of the drawings. W'e prefer, however, to feed the wrappers from a web W, having the addresses printed thereon and wound on a. roll 0, which is pivotally supported, as represented in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The free end of said web passes between combined feed and cutting rollers P P, which are geared to impart positive rotary motion to them. One of said rollers is provided with a longitudinal groove 63, and the other roller has projecting from its surface a longitudinal cutting-blade 64, which enters the groove 63 and partially severs the successive wrappers from the web. The rollers P P propel the partially-severed wrapper to the tape-roller 65, which carries the tapes 62 and is geared to rotate at a greater speed than the rollers P P, so that said taperoller, with the aid of the drop-roller 66, disrupts the individual wrapper from the Web. The action of the folding-machineP'and speed of the wrapper-conveying tapes 62 are timed to deliver the paper upon the top of the wrapper, and said wrapper is of a sufficient length to cause its rear margin to protrude from under the paper and allow the'paste to be subsequently applied to said margin, as hereinbefore described. The tapes 61 and 62 deliver the paper and wrapper upon the top of a propelling-roller 67, over which are droprollers 68. Immediately in front of the droproller shaft is the drop-gage 69 for assembling the paper and wrapper. A short distance beyond the propelling-roller 67 is another geared roller 70, onto the top of which the assembled paper and wrapper are-delivered by the roller 67. Over the rollers 70 are rollers 71, which press the assembled sheets into frictional contact with the subj-acent roller 70, which passes said sheets onto conveyingtapes 72, by means of which they are carried to the hereinbefore-descriloed roller 12, which is adjacent to the first set of paper-folding forks and passes the assembled sheets into said forks.

In the operation of a mailing-machine it is very desirable to guard against the mixing of accidental incompletely-wrapped papers with properlywrapped papers in the mail-bag placed at the delivery end of the machine to receive the wrapped papers directly therefrom. To accomplish this desired object, we employ between the paper and wrapper assembling gage 69 and the gnardedpasting instrument N a switch 73, which is normallyin position to conduct the assembled sheets from the two sets of delivering-tapes 61 and 62 to the aforesaid pasting instrument and movable to divert said sheets from said direction, and means for controlling said switch by the sheets in transit on the aforesaid two sets of delivering-tapes. Said-switch and means for controlling the same resemble to some extent the devices shown in the Letters Patent N 0. 618,848, granted to Talbot 0. Dexter January 31, 1899. The switch consists of fingers proj ecting at right angles from a transverse rockshaft 74 and normally horizontal toward the sheet-propelling roller 67. The mechanism for operating said switch consists of a rotary cam-disk 75, which is provided with a notch 76 in its periphery. A pitman 77 is connected at one end to the short arm of a bell-crank lever 78, pivoted to the frame A. The opposite end of said pitmanhas pivoted to it a roller 79, which is held in contact with the periphery of the cam-disk by means of a spring 80, surrounding a rod 81, which is secured at one end to the frame A, as shown at 82, and has its free end extending toward the cam-disk 75 and passing through an ear 83, projecting from the pitman. A collar 84 is secured to the rod 81 near its point of attachment 82, and between this collar and aforesaid ear 83 the spring exerts expansive force. The aforesaid short arm of the bell-crank lever 78 is connected by a strap or link 85 to an arm 86, fastened to the end of the rock-shaft 7 4.

The mechanism for controlling the actuating mechanism of the switch is as follows: Transversely over each of the two sets of tapes 61 and 62 is a bar 87, to which is pivoted a finger 88, which lies with its free end to- IIO ward'the delivery ends of the tapes and in the path of the sheet carried on said tapes. From the pivoted end of said finger projects upward a detent 89, as shown more clearly in Fig. 9 of the drawings. To a bracket 90 on each of the bars 87 is pivoted a transverse shaft 87, to which is fastened a lever 91, the free end of which is directly over the top of the detent 89 when the finger SS lies in its normal position in the path of the sheets. To the end of each of the shafts is fastened an arm 91, which is connected to a strap 92, which in turn is connected bya rod 93 to the long arm of the bell-crank lever 78, hereinbefore mentioned.

The operation of the described mechanism for operating and controlling the switch is as follows: The cam-disk has a continuous rotary motion and is timed to bring the notch 76 in position to allow the roller 79 of the pitman 77 to enter it, and thereby cause said pitman to throw the switch into its normal horizontal position in time to allow the assembled paper and wrapper to pass oversaid switch and to the propelling-roller 70, which,

with the assistance of the tapes 72, carries said sheets forward to the pasting instrument N. This operation is permitted by the sheets in transit on the tapes 61 and 62 passing under the fingers 88 and tilting the same to throw the detents 89 from under the levers 91, which are thereby free to be rocked by the action of the pitman 77. If, however, either the paper or the wrapper, or both, fail to be carried to the assembling-gage 69, the finger 88 over the vacant tapes drops with its free end beneath the plane of the tapes, and thereby throws the detent into a position to arrest the action of the lever 91, and this prevents the spring from pushing the pitman 77 to a position to allow of the roller 79 enterand supported oscillatory to lie alternately in opposite directions upon said bed, mechanisms actuating said folding devices, and mechanisms shifting the folded paper from one of said devices onto the bed and thence into the succeeding folding device as set forth.

2. A paper-folder comprising a paper-supporting bed, aplurality of paper-folding forks disposed in a row over said bed and supported oscillatory toward opposite ends of said bed and at the same time lie in planes parallel and contiguous to the bed, mechanisms actuating said forks, and means traveling longitudinally over said bed and shifting the paper to the successive forks as set forth.

3. A paper-folder comprising a paper-supporting bed, a pluralityof paper-folding forks disposed in a row over said bed and pivoted at the-free ends of the forks in bearings disposed contiguous to the plane of the aforesaid bed, mechanisms rocking said forks into reversed positions, and means traveling longitudinally over said bed and shifting the paper to the successive forks and at the same time pressing upon the folded portion of the paper across the entire width thereof as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of a paper-supporting bed, a plurality of paper-folding forks disposed in a row over said bed and pivoted to swinginto reversed positions, mechanism imparting intermittent synchronous action to said forks, means reciprocating longitudinally over the aforesaid bed and movable Vertically to and from the same to shift the paper to the successive forks, and mechanisms actuating said means and timed to lift the same from the bed during the reversing action of the aforesaid forks as set forth.

5. A mailing-machine comprising a plurality of sets of paper-folding forks disposed in a straight row, each of said sets supported oscillatory on an axis at the free ends of the forks, guides supporting the paper between the sets of forks, and means for shifting the folded paper into the successive sets of forks.

6. In a mailing-machine the combination of a paper-supporting bed, a plurality of paperfolding forks disposed in a row over said bed and pivotall y supported at the receiving ends of the forks andin stationary bearings located in proximity to the plane of the aforesaid bed, means for imparting oscillatory motion to the forks, and means reciprocating over the bed and shifting the paper to the successive forks.

7. In a mailing-machine the combination of a paper-supporting bed secured stationary in its position, a plurality of paper-folding forks disposed in a row over said bed and pivotally supported at the receiving ends of the forks and in stationary bearings located in proximity to the plane of the bed, means for synchronously rocking the row of forks, and means reciprocating over the bed and shifting the paper to the successive forks as set forth.

8. A mailing-machine comprising a plurality of sets of paper-folding forks disposed in a row, each of said sets supported oscillatory on an axis at the free ends of the forks, means for turning the forks on said axis, paper-supporting guides between the sets of forks, means for introducing the paper into the first set of forks, means for shifting the folded paper into the successive sets of forks, and means for compressing the folded paper beyond the row of folding-forks.

9. A mailing-machine comprising a plurality of sets of paper-folding forks disposed in a row and each of said sets supported oscil' latory at the free ends of the forks, stationary paper-supporting guides between the sets of forks, feeding devices supplying the paper and wrapper to the first set of forks, means for shifting the folded paper and wrapper into the successive sets of forks and papercompressing rollers beyond the row of forks. 10. A mailing-machine comprising a sta-- -tionary paper-supporting bed, a plurality of paper-folding forks disposed in a row over 'said bed and supported reversibly to present and wrapper simultaneously, a gage assembling said sheets, conveyers delivering the assembled paper and wrapper from said gage to the folding-forks, and means for shifting said sheets to the successive forks as set forth.

11. The combination of paper-folding rollers, a blade introducing the paper into the bite of said rollers, a prolonged bed disposed to receive the paper from said folding-rollers, and a plurality of paper folding devices distributed over said bed and imparting successive folds to the paper during its transit over said bed.

12. The combination of a prolonged bed, wrapper conveyers extending toward said bed, paper-folding rollers, a blade introducing the paper into the bite of said rollers, paper-conveyers extending from said rollers and delivering the folded paper upon the wrapper, a gage assembling said wrapper and paper, conveyers delivering the assembled sheets to the aforesaid bed, and a plurality of paper-foldin g devices distributed over said bed and imparting successive folds to the assembled sheets during their transit over the bed.

13. The combination of a plurality of sets of paper-folding forks disposed in a row and each set supported oscillatory to present the free ends of the forks alternately in opposite directions, paper-supporting guides between the sets of forks, means for introducing the sheets into the first set of forks, arms supported movable longitudinally over the row of forks and oscillatory to and from the same and means attached to the free ends of said arms to shift the folded sheets into the successive sets of forks as set forth.

14. The combination of aplurality of sets of paper-folding forks disposed in a row and each set supported oscillatory to present the free ends of the forks alternately in opposite directions, paper-supporting guides between the sets of forks, means for introducing the sheets into the first set of forks, arms supported movable longitudinally over the row of forks and oscillatory to and from the same, means attached to the free ends of the arms to shift the folded sheets into and out of the successive forks, and rollers compressing the folded sheets beyond the row of forks.

rections, mechanisms imparting the reversing action to the sets of forks, paper-supporting guides between the sets of forks, feeding devices supplying the sheets of paper and wrapper to the machine, a gage assembling the sheets, propelling devices carrying the assembled sheets into the first set of forks, arms supported movable longitudinally over the row of forks and oscillatory to and'from the same and means attached to the free ends of said arms for shifting the folded sheets into the successive sets of forks as set forth.

16. The combination of a plurality of sets of paper-folding forks disposed in a row and each set supported reversibly to present the free ends of the forks alternately in opposite directions, mechanism imparting the reversing action to the sets of forks, arms carried forward and back longitudinally over the row of forks and oscillatory to and from the same, means carried on said arms for shifting the folded paper forward into the successive sets of forks, and means for lifting said arms in their retrograding movement as set forth.

17. The combination of a plurality of sets of paper-folding forks disposed in a row and each set reversible to present the free ends of the forks alternately in opposite directions, mechanism reversing the sets of forks, feeding devices supplying the sheets of paper and wrapper to the machine, a gage assembling said sheets, propelling devices carrying the assembled sheets into the first set of forks, arms carried forward and back longitudinally over the row of forks and oscillatory to and from the same, means carried on said arms for shifting the folded sheets forward into the successive sets of forks and means for lifting the arms during their retrograding movements.

18. A mailing-machine comprising a plurality of sets of sheet-folding forks disposed in a row and each set supported oscillatory on a transverse axis located at the free ends of the forks, mechanisms imparting oscillatory motion to the sets of forks, means for introducing the sheets of paper and wrapper into thefirst set of forks, means for applying paste to the protruding portion of the wrapper, and means for shifting the folded sheets into the successive sets of forks.

19. A mailing-machine comprising a plurality of sets of sheet-folding forks disposed in a row and each set supported oscillatory on a transverse axis located at the free ends of the forks, mechanisms imparting oscillatory motion to the sets of forks, paper-supporting guides between the sets of forks, means for introducin the sheets of paper and wrapper into the first set of forks, means forapplying paste to the protruding margin of the wrapper, and means for shifting the folded sheets into the successive sets of forks as set forth. 

